Thanks for the reviews guys! This chapter is for you! I tried to update it as soon as I could with my schedule. Enjoy, and at the end, don't be mad at me. Hehe.

Ruri enjoyed her night out. She enjoyed dancing with Tavik, he was very good. Yet as he lifted her in the air the joy of weightlessness as well as a strange tingle took over her body .Sensing her discomfort Tavik slowly lowered her to the ground with a strange look on his face.

"Are you alright Ruri?"

Ruri rubbed at her side over her marking before shrugging her shoulders, "I don't know…don't worry about it. It's probably a cramp."

Tavik gave a wide smile causing Ruri's eyes to focus intently on his dark orbs. As she blinked her slow moving brain finally made the connection. Not only was Dendera from her dreams, but Tavik as well. The city, the queen, and the palace were all a part of her dreams, as to what she was not sure.

"You were a servant at the palace!" She almost shouted as she hysterically pointed to Tavik. The man in question gave her a strange look as she continued to ramble on, "You were saved by a…a princess! And her name…it was…it was um, Ah! Princess Nathi-"

Before she could finish Tavik wrapped his palm around her mouth as he quickly lead Ruri away from the crowd before an elbow to his gut caught him off guard. Stumbling back Ruri leaped from his grip shooting him a fighting stance as anger crossed over her features.

"What the hell was that?" Ruri shouted as her hands balled into a fist.

"That name," Tavik asked slowly, his fearful face confusing the young girl, "how do you know that name?"

"I don't," Ruri began as she lowered her stance, "my dreams. I have been having dreams. Who, who is she?"

Tavik let out a breath of pent up air as he ran his hand through his thick black hair, "Her name is, was Princess Nathifa."

"Princess? There are two?"

Tavik turned his head down the corridor before he took Ruri gently by her hand, "Come with me."

Together the two walked down many halls before they approached a dark red door. Reaching into his pocket Tavik pulled a knife from his pocket as he slowly began working at the golden locket before cracking it open. Ruri gave him a strange look. Who was this princess, and why was the supposed door to her answer bolted shut?

Finally Tavik broke the lock as he slowly opened the door, the wave of dust spraying in Ruri's face causing her to cover her nose. Ruri wiped her eyes from the speckles of dirt as Tavik walked into the dark room. Flexing his fingers he circled his middle and index fingers together before shooting a small wave of electricity towards the hanging lanterns, illuminating the space. It was large, ornate and highly decorated with gold tables and silk tapestries now all covered in a coat of dirt and dust. Ruri slowly walked into the room, her body receiving a strange sensation as her hands ran over the mattress and satin pillows. The wave of stress soon became unbearable as she took a seat on the mattress as Tavik stared at the room, pain in his eyes.

"This is Princess Nathifa's room. She lived here,"

"My dreams were right, she was your friend…what happened to her?"

Tavik wrapped his arm around his adjacent elbow, "She saved my life. She was the eldest daughter of Queen Domina. I still remember the day when she spared my life, for the first time. We were close, and we spent everyday together. I loved her like a sister. However a princess does not defend or befriend someone of a lower breed." Tavik slowly began to wave his body back and forth as he continued,

"Dendera didn't like it. Neither did she like Nathifa's line in the throne, so she threw me to the front lines of her army. One day we were overrun and I was hurt. Nathifa ran into the battlefield and healed me, The Queen saw it…and she was banished."

Ruri batted her eyes, "Banished?"

"Yes, it's been almost twenty years since anyone has been in her room. The Queen wiped her out of the family line; statues destroyed and her name to be forgotten."

"That's horrible," Ruri spoke while wiping a single tear from her eye, "I'm, I'm sorry Tavik."

"…Its alright. I have hope, hope she is still alive." He spoke softly as he stared out the window towards the palace, his tone as well as the conversation changing, "Its beautiful isn't it?"

"Yes," She agreed.

"It will be even more marvelous once we engage into the Human World."

Ruri shot her head back, "What?"

Tavik gave her a confused look, "Yes. After we infiltrate the Makai with our alliance we will negotiate a full contract to rights to the Human World."

"You can't do that!" Ruri jumped on the bed, her finger pointing at him, "I live in the human world, no demons are allowed…no bad ones at least!"

"Ruri," Tavik spoke as he defenselessly put his hands in the air, "we are expanding our empire, and we can offer you medicine and advancements."

"We don't want it. Besides you can't take over Demon or Human World. There is a king and he's king for-"

"Two years yes. However Lord Yomi has prepared his assassination. On the New Years Day six months from now the Kingdom will host a new tournament in which our greatest fighter will win. That way you can grieve the loss of your king and we can play fair to your rules."

Ruri stared at him wide eyed as he nonchalantly spoke. His voice so casual as if he did not make the connection that his words spelled out death for thousands of individuals and the invasion of the human world; was he mental?

"Ruri?" Tavik asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

"What do you mean what's wrong? First I find out that my dreams are spelling out some weird premonitions of this banished princess, and now you are telling me that your big plan for peace is going to be the death of thousands of people?"

"Ruri you are overreacting, one death for the safety of,"

"Tavik that doesn't make any sense! How can you do this?"

Tavik paused, attempting to make sense of his words as his mouth opened to speak both eyes turned to the large waving amounts of energy that now entered the rom. Rui's mouth hung slightly open has Hiei's dark frame shadowed the doorway, his face was dark save for his glowing red eyes.

"Hiei," Ruri motioned to speak as the demon in question held his arm forward, black flames escaping his palm, headed straight for Tavik.

Mukuro hated waiting. She hated this place, she hated Hiei's mood, and she hated waiting for his return. Yes, over the past few months her love for her second in command had finally found its place as a relation she would have to an heir or son. In fact if they did consummate their relationship it would be nothing more than a power struggle. Could she even consummate anything with anyone to begin with? Her thoughts wandered to her father, the same father who surgically altered her body, destroying what youth she had left in her. She was surprised however, that upon showing her naked self to Hiei on that night he looked at her with neither hatred nor disgust. Or Tavik; though she had met him only once her mind still fondled over the way he stared directly into her eyes, looking past her mechanical self. In her long and bitter life Mukuro had finally found a sense of peace and calm in her life. Perhaps she should thank this Ruri Mara girl .Since her arrival into Hiei's life he too has become more calm, more relaxed, even nicer. In turn that made Mukuro herself nicer. But that was a distant thought, Ruri still had to prove herself to the bionic woman, and thoughts of her were getting old. Rolling her fingers she slowly rose to her feet.

"Where are you going?" Koga asked as he motioned to stand by her side only to back away as she shot him a growl.

"Calm yourself Koga. I can take care of myself."

"But you shouldn't be-"

"Fool. Did you not hear me?" Koga silenced himself at her words as she strode out of her stateroom before taking a long walk down the mirage of hallways. Walking her eyes roamed across the open windows towards the bright lights of the city. Mukuro was not an outside person, nor did she necessarily like visiting new places without her head mask. Yes the feeling was liberating, and finally her subjects as well as the world could see who she truly was. Yet underneath her mask lied another obstacle, her bionic face.

Her hands balled into fists as she touched growled at her thoughts. Her face represented her freedom, and her robotic parts her rebirth. She was the Lady Lazarus, born from the fires of her father's hate, her red hair glowing as she would eat men like the air. Yet in all her power and self indulgence to herself, Mukuro felt empty, and hideous.

Stopping from her walk her eyes turned towards a dark wooden door, energy pouring from beneath it. The energy was dark and powerful, almost calling to her as she slowly touched the door before opening it to the candlelight room. The room was dark and completely of stone, no windows as the room was light by a hanging chandelier of wick candles. In the center of the room stood a large gold frame mirror, Queen Domina staring into it intently before turning around towards Mukuro.

"It's a powerful energy isn't it?" She asked as she held a welcoming hand towards the Alaric queen.

"What is this?" Mukuro asked as she took a small step into the room. She loathed mirrors, and did not want to see her reflection, hence her hesitation.

Domina smiled, the slight age wrinkles on her face slowly creasing at her cheeks. She was a strange beauty, her hair a soft white as he hung below her shoulders and her golden eyes both inviting and fearsome. "This was a gift to me many conquests ago, its powers infused with my own. We share a lot, you and I. Men have deceived us, punished us for our beauty of which they bestowed."

Mukuro took another step further as she spoke.

"I have no king, no master or guard to share my throne or loathe my aging face. Yet this mirror dear Mukuro, changes just that." With a dark smile she turned towards the mirror before closing her eyes. The reflection of the mirror slowly glowed as Mukuro watched in awe as Domina's face had begun to regenerate, her hair fading from a grey to a beautiful rich black as her age wrinkles slowly faded under her plush skin. With a smirk she drew her four hands towards her face, touching her fresh new skin. Turning she once again reached her hand towards Mukuro who now stood at her side.

"Come," She purred softly, "Let the mirror see who you really are."

Mukuro slowly took a step into the mirror, gasping at her reflection. Her bionic face was gone. The mechanical arms now replaced with soft human flesh. Her Hair flowed a golden orange to her shoulders, curling as it once did when she was but a child. She could feel her body change as well. Domina smiled as she slowly removed her clothes, causing another gasp from Mukuro. Her body had returned to normal, her legs fresh with flesh and her pelvic restored. She felt a wave of euphoria as her body relished its youthful attire. She was free, of her father's influences and torture. Mukuro was finally free.

"This could be yours," Domina whispered as she ran her hand through Mukuro's long hair, "Yomi has agreed, thus he will have his eyes returned. Allow us into your alliance and your youth and innocence can be restored."

"Hiei! Hiei don't!" Ruri felt as if she was watching this moment in slow motion as ran towards the spiral if flame Hiei shot towards Tavik. The fire almost grazed her skin as she was too slow to stop it. Tavik braced himself as the flames hit his black clothing, thrusting him out the stained glass window towards the grounds below.

"HIEI!" Ruri shouted as she ran towards the now hole in the wall, her eyes searching in the dark for Tavik's frame in the ground. As she looked her body was yanked backwards as Hiei held her waist in his arms.

"You let him touch you!" He snarled at his human causing a deeper glare from Ruri.

Ruri shoved him away as her mouth tried to form words to her anger towards the demon, "Asshole!" was the only word that came to mind.

"What?" Hiei was surprised at her sheer anger, "You let that lowlife touch my mark-"

"Your mark? Its on my body. You don't own me Hiei. I'm not your property! I don't belong to anyone!"

"You're acting like a child." Hiei chastised her as he crossed her arms.

"Where's your stone Hiei?" Ruri asked, her voice cold. Hiei remained silent as she repeated herself, "Where is your stone?"

Hiei didn't know where this turn in the conversation had gone, yet he could feel the heat, and the crack in the floor as Ruri stood fuming opposite of him.

"Its on her neck," Ruri spoke again, "Mukuro's neck. Why?"

"You are-"

"Tell me why!"

"Tch, it's a token to her. To be returned to me once we return. You wouldn't understand." Hiei watched as Ruri let out a sour laugh as she threw her hands in the air.

"Oh, I understand. You give her stones and birthday presents because she's your master. Yet you treat me like I'm the weak thorn in your side, and I'm your mate. This trip you have belittled me, and embarrassed me, and treated me like a child."

Hiei sighed, "Ruri you need to-"

"No I don't! I don't need to do anything you tell me! You're the one that doesn't understand, you don't understand that I would do anything for you, and you can't even defend me to her. I'm taking this stupid mark more seriously than you are! So you're the one that needs to grow up!"

She looked as if she was going to pull her own hair from her scalp, as well as crack the whole wing of the palace in half. Hiei watched her anger, her mouth still curled around in a snarl.

"So why did you mark me?" Ruri asked.

"This is not the time to talk about this." Hiei answered softly in subtle attempts to calm his mate.

Ruri heard none of it however as she asked again, "Why? Why did you mark me with this stupid-"

"It was the best decision!" Hiei shouted, silencing Ruri, "You were about to make the most foolish decision in your life and I had to track you."

Hiei was surprised, usually humans like the truth. Yet at the end of his words tears slowly fell from Ruri's eyes.

"So that's it. You bound me to you forever for…for battle tactics!" another tear slipped down her cheek as her hands balled into tighter fists. "You are,"

"You need to control yourself before you,"

"Monster!" Ruri finished effectively shutting him up, "You're a monster! You're a lying, cruel, heartless person!"

Hiei paused, absorbing her words. It was strange for him, he had heard these before from countless of people. Yet a strange sensation was brewing in his body, of which was not anger as it usually was. He couldn't pinpoint as to what was happening to him.

"You think I'm so weak, but I'm not," Ruri continued as she brushed her hand over her stained cheeks, "I'll prove you wrong. At the next tournament in Oulfimi I'm going to win."

"What tournament?"

"They're hosting a tournament. Enki is dead, or is going to be. And Oulfimi is holding a tournament so they can win and take over the Demon and Human World." Hiei's eyes widened at her words, "But they're not. I'm going to win, and as soon as I become King I'm finding someone to take this mark off of me, permanently."

"That's not-"

"Watch me." Ruri finished as she walked passed him, snarling once more as Hiei gently put his hands on her wrists.

"Ruri," He spoke softly for once only to be pushed again by his mate.

"No, let go, let GO!" Her outburst caused another crack in the wall. "To think that I loved you…but I-I…I hate you. I hate you I hate….I HATE YOU!" Ruri screamed as she turned and ran out of the room, hoping to escape this city and this nightmare.

Ruri ran, her bare feet bruising as she made her way out of the palace into the dark city. Her hair bounced in her face as she turned down the cobblestone streets and alleyways before she eyed to guards at the entrance of the city. Her eyes narrowed as she darted towards them, pulling their own weapons from their holders before holding it to their necks,

"How do I get out?" She asked causing confusion to the guards in question.

"Ma'am I don't know what you're asking-"

"How do I leave the city!"

"You can take the bikes," The second guard stuttered, "The bikes will run on your energy, if you're strong enough it will take you to the Human World."

Ruri shoved the two guards against the wall before she ran over to the cycle-like bike, leaping onto its seat as she released her energy. The bike responded to her aura as it jetted forward, sending her into the darkness in a cloud of dust.

The guards paused, taking a sigh of relief before they felt another strong force approach them.

"Where is she?" Hiei growled, his Jagan fully open as he approached the two men.

"I don't know," The one responded only to be incinerated by Hiei's flame.

"Where is she!"

"She took the bike!" The other stammered, "She left, to Human World."

Hiei let another black flame escape his mouth as he ran into the darkness in search for her. Though he was fast, he could not keep up, and after an hour of wandering he was lost and alone in the dark, Ruri's energy now completely faded as well as his own. Standing in the thick forests the strange sensation in his stomach was growing rapidly the more he thought about his fight with his human. He didn't like the feeling, he felt empty, yet full at the same time. His heart was pounding, his fingers shaking, something was building inside of his body.

A scream escaped his lips as he thrust his arm forward, releasing the infamous Black Dragon as it spiraled from him. He watched it circle around him before crushing back into his own body, yet the felling still of emptiness still remained. Dropping to his knees he placed his arms in front of him as his body contorted into a ball. He didn't know how to take this, he didn't know what was wrong with him. He gasped as he curled tighter within himself, hoping to calm his raging nerves and wait out this death like sensation. Yet as he thought of himself and Ruri, the feeling grew worse, saltier, and wet.

Kurama watched from the trees behind him as Hiei remained curled in the soil. His green eyes saddened at his friend's desolate state. Though Hiei could not pinpoint his emotions, Kurama knew that feeling well. Hiei was hyperventilating,

He was crying.

Whew, that was hard to write. But I will see you all next chapter. Thanks for the reviews and fill free to add your opinions this time. and to Tavik fans he's not dead. you'll see him again soon! Oh and because you guys are super awesome, here is the best, and worse way to introduce to the next chapter.

"Hiei."

The demon in questioned turned as he stared at Kuwabara from across the room. it was strange to think that he hated him, and now the two could stand each other in the same room for moments at a time, hell he had Yukina pregnant. It was a strange feeling, yet the past few months had been strange for Hiei. He didn't have her anymore. He could feel her still, thankful to his mark. But she wasn't there. He hated the feeling. He hated feeling this strange.

"Hn," Came the demons reply to the orange haired man. Yet as Hiei was adjusting to the changes in his life, nothing could prepare him for this.

"…I know you're Yukina's brother."